Another *shrug* of a story

So I discovered Jacqueline Woodson thanks to this lovely little corner of the internet, and Bonnie specifically. That’s right, I still remember who first told me to go read Brown Girl Dreaming. Because anytime people want an amazing story these days it’s one of my first recommendations. It’s billed as young adult and is poetry to boot, but damn if it isn’t one of the best that I’ve read in the past few years. So when I saw Ms. Woodson had a new book out, I eagerly picked it up at the library.

Another Brooklyn is the story of four girls growing up in 1970’s Brooklyn, specifically centered on August. She and Sylvia, Angela, and Gigi are from very different backgrounds, but become friends through surviving together in Brooklyn. Told loosely and from August’s memory you slowly learn why her family moved to Brooklyn, and the fates of herself and her friends.

And I hate to say it, but it was just okay. It wasn’t very long, but it still took me over a week to read. Finally, last night I made myself sit down and finish it. The fates of all of the characters were mostly depressing, and overall it just made me feel glum and eh. It wasn’t poorly written by any means, it just didn’t “fill me up” as Brown Girl Dreaming did (if that makes sense).

Anywho, this was just lackluster. I will continue looking for Ms. Woodson’s books when new ones come out, but this one just left me indifferent. But Brown Girl Dreaming. Y’all go read it. It’s one of the best out there right now, especially for young adults.